Hello everyone! Seeing as I've been a Frisco modeler for quite some time, I thought it might be appropriate to join in on the fun here. I have been a huge Frisco fan for all my life because of my Grandpa. He grew up in St. Louis in the 20's just down the street from the Frisco yards which he and his father would go down and watch the engines working. Since that point, Frisco has been a large part of the family. When he was at school in Oklahoma city, he would watch the Heavy Mikes pull freight in and out of town, taking photos of everything moving around. His hobby of watching the Frisco would culminate into a greater passion when he built his first live steam locomotive in 1965, a one inch scale Pacific, number 1042. He, my Dad, and the rest. Of the family built a railroad around the house in Southern California and ran the Pacific at Los Angeles Live Steamers (LALS). Fast forward 24 years and he was ready to build another locomtive, this time in a larger scale. The next locomtive was a 1.6" scale USRA Heavy Mikado, 4158. He completed this engine in 1989, 4 years after I was born. Needless to say, I grew up with Frisco steam in my veins, nevermind it was scale steam. I run live steam, 18" gauge steam and diesel and model the WP in HO. I have just started to take care of the inch scale pacific and continue keep my Grandpa's legacy of Frisco steam alive on the West Coast. I look forward to talking with all you guys, getting more insight on the history of the Frisco and sharing what I know, at least from a live steam perspective. -Greg. Here's a video running the pacific this past weekend at Los Angeles Live Steamers. This is the. First time the engine has run on any track in around 22 years. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrkbA3ujyT4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Excellent Greg! Welcome to the site. I've seen the 4158 on video and in an older commercial tape I was amazed how how "Frisco" she sounded. Do you still have her? She was a beautiful piece of work. I've also seen a couple of photos that your Granddad sent Joe Collias from the OKC area of Frisco 4158 (12"=1"). If memory serves, your Granddad sent me a letter and was asking about the dimensions of the 1522's whistle some years ago. I didn't realize he grew up here in STL. Wonder if he took pictures here? My Dad worked out of Lindenwood in engine service starting in 1916 and I wish he had carried a camera.
Greg, Welcome to the best RR site on the web (personal opinion). Beautiful locomotive for sure - glad to see that you are carrying on the torch. I live in Temecula, south of you, and have been helping a friend on his 20 acre - three miles of track - 1.5" scale layout. Sure wish 1042 were a little larger - would love to see it operating here. Guess I will just have to make a trip to LALS some day. Glad to have you here ....
Don, The 4158 is still in the family, but we have not fired her up in a while. That is the engine I learned how to run steam on and have so many good memories of. As for the scale of 4158, it's actually 1.6"=12", he wanted a larger locomotive to take to more live steam tracks. Grandpa wanted to be sure the whistle sounded Frisco-esque, so he had a music instructor come to the house and tune the whistle to be correct, that's cool that he was talking to you on he dimensions of the best sounding whistles out there. As for photos at Lindenwood, we don't know of any, but he took quite a few when he was in Oklahoma, that's where he took a picture of the 4158 leaving the Yard and that photo is what led him to decide on that engine. Sherrel, Would be great to have you come up to LALS and see her run. Dad and I are actually talking about bringing the Mikado down from Bitter Creek to have the two run together right next to each other. I just wish there was more 4-3/4" track around, but its great running family history around the railroad that started the live steam hobby in my family. Look forward to talking to you guys more in the future. BTW, I'm looking at building a private car in 1" scale to put at the end of the train and will definitely be coming here for info on them.
Wow! That brought tears to my eyes. You should be very proud of your family and yourself for keeping the Frisco alive and operating such a beautiful engine! That is fantastic! Welcome to the board. You won't find a nicer group of loyal railroading fans anywhere. There are no other folks like Frisco Folks. Enjoy. Stay awhile, and please, more pictures, movies, and history of your families memories! God Bless you! Manny
Greg, First of all, Welcome Aboard. It's great to add another Frisco Fan to the forum. Please post still pictures of your grandfather's magnificent work.
Here are some stills that I have of both engines, hope everyone enjoys. Frisco 1042 Builder: Art Reiter Built: 1965 Scale: 1"=12" Gauge: 4-3/4" Fuel: Kerosene Operating Pressure: 120 lbs. Frisco 4158 Builder: Art Reiter Built: 1989 Scale: 1.6"=12" Gauge: 7-1/2" Fuel: Propane Operating Pressure: 125 lbs.
I love it. Seen that video before. These are works of art and from the heart. Thank you so much! You are truly welcomed here. Manny
Yep, 4158 is definitely Frisco. Nice sharp exhaust and deep toned whistle. That engine is a work of art from Art. Beautiful. Wish I were younger, I'd either build a 4100 or 1500. I'd better stick to my HO ones.
Extremely cool. I never got the chance to meet Art but would love to get a ride behind 4158. Later this year or next I plan to visit the Bitter Creek. Hopefully I'll see ya'll there.
Darren, are you by chance bringing your locomotive out to Bitter Creek, and when are you going to be out this way? Saw a photo of your engine, very nice looking Pacific.
Greg - I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the photos and videos on your link -- thanks for posting. See lots of smiles there (as it should be)